In a significant heist, more than half a million pesos were stolen from a branch of Cuba's Postal Service located in the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes municipality in Camagüey province. The Cuban state media reported the incident but did not provide specifics regarding how the theft transpired.
Major Agustín Pulgares Balart, who heads the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) in the area, mentioned in an interview with the Cuban News Agency that after the crime was reported, fingerprints and other evidence were collected, which, with public cooperation, led to identifying the suspected perpetrators.
The capture operation successfully returned some of the cash to ensure social security payments. The official source, which did not specify the number of individuals involved in the theft nor identified them, claimed that the money was recovered in less than 48 hours. Pulgares Balart noted that those arrested are in custody awaiting evaluation by the General Prosecutor's Office, which is assessing the evidence for potential prosecution in the provincial court system.
At the time of this report's release, no further details had emerged about the robbery. However, the official source boasted about other recently resolved crimes in Carlos Manuel de Céspedes.
In the same Camagüey municipality, a computer stolen from the Municipal Collection Company was returned as part of a forceful theft case. Additionally, a horse belonging to a farmer from La Panchita farm in the Cinco Palmas community was recovered during an operation at one of the municipality's closure points.
The Camagüey MININT also reported seizing 190 liters of oil in Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, 20 liters in Florida municipality, and more than 1,200 liters of gasoline, six sacks of fertilizer, 260 liters of honey, two canisters of liquefied gas, and several meters of pulley, among other items.
While the Ministry of the Interior shows swift and efficient action in retrieving stolen state property, numerous accounts over the past months reveal that when crimes impact individuals, the authorities' response tends to be slower and less effective. The severe economic crisis in Cuba over the last two years—characterized by rampant inflation, shortages of basic goods, and a collapse in public services—has triggered a disturbing rise in crime across the island.
This social decay underscores the harsh repercussions of a system unable to meet the fundamental needs of its citizens, intensifying their vulnerability and escalating insecurity nationwide.
Understanding Crime in Cuba's Economic Crisis
What contributed to the increase in crime in Cuba?
The rise in crime is largely due to Cuba's severe economic crisis, which includes high inflation, basic goods shortages, and failing public services, leaving citizens more vulnerable and desperate.
How effective is the MININT in addressing thefts?
The Ministry of the Interior (MININT) is effective in quickly recovering state property; however, its response to crimes against individuals tends to be slower and less efficient.
What items were recovered in recent operations by the MININT?
Recent operations recovered items such as a computer, a horse, oil, gasoline, fertilizer, honey, liquefied gas, and pulleys, among other goods.